Senate Democrats block Cruz immigration crackdown dubbed 'Kate's Law'

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 10: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is speaks to the media as he returns to his office at the U.S. Capitol, May 10, 2016, in Washington, DC. Sen. Cruz returned to the Senate after he had dropped out of the U.S. presidential race. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) less

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 10: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is speaks to the media as he returns to his office at the U.S. Capitol, May 10, 2016, in Washington, DC. Sen. Cruz returned to the Senate after he had dropped out ... more

Photo: Drew Angerer, Staff

Senate Democrats block Cruz immigration crackdown dubbed 'Kate's Law'

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WASHINGTON – Senate Democrats blocked two immigration bills on Wednesday, including a measure by Texas Republican Ted Cruz to increase penalties for people who repeatedly enter the country illegally.

Cruz's bill, dubbed "Kate's Law" would have raised mandatory minimum sentences to five years for any illegal reentry. It was named for Kate Steinle, the 32-year-old woman who was shot and killed by an undocumented immigrant in San Francisco.

The other bill, by Republican Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, would have defunded so-called sanctuary cities that don't enforce federal immigration laws.

Both measures failed to garner the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster. Both also were rejected by the Senate last year.

Cruz invoked Steinle's death at the hands of a criminal who had several felony convictions and had been deported five times. "The truth is Kate should be alive today," Cruz said in a Senate speech, "but she isn't because the federal government failed her."

Toomey's bill also was inspired by the Steinle death, which came at the hands of a shooter who had been released by San Francisco authorities despite a request by federal immigration agents that he be detained.

The incident sparked a nationwide debate about federal and local immigration policies, particularly in cities that bar police officers from enforcing federal immigration laws in some cases.

Some Democrats argued that turning local police into immigration agents could be counterproductive because it could make undocumented immigrants afraid of police and reluctant to report crimes. Republicans argued that stronger immigration laws would serve as a deterrent to crossing the borders illegally.

"This vote ought to be an easy decision," Cruz said of his "Kate's Law," which was heavily promoted by Fox News television personality Bill O'Reilly. "This should bring us all together."